DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 is indefinite because it is not clear to the examiner if time period C occurs after time period B, as claimed or if it occurs before time period B as supported by applicant’s specification and drawings. It is also not clear if time period E is occurring before or after time period D. The specification and drawings appear to show time period E occurring before time period D. Correction or clarification is required.
Claim 5 is indefinite because it is not clear to the examiner how the first clock is ramping form VSS to VDD during the time period B. The specification and drawings only show the first clock (which is seen to be MCLK) transitioning between 0 or null and VDD. Correction or clarification is required.
Claims 2-4 and 6-7 are also rejected due to the deficiencies of the base claim.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Zhuang (US 8,497,723) discloses a latch circuit including an isolation stage.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CASSANDRA F COX whose telephone number is (571)272-1741. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00-4:30; off alt Fridays.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Menatoallah Youssef can be reached at 571-270-3684. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CASSANDRA F COX/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2849 e